After 32 Years of Blue ...

[JYH]

Hi everyone. This is my first post, and I want to thank you all for the tips and hints I've picked up from reading these posts.

I writing this with some mixed emotions. My brother and I have decided its time to sell our Ford 3000 that we've been driving since it was new in 1968. It has no ROPS, no power steering, brakes that you need to show who's boss, but its baled a lot of hay, planted many hundred posts, grated, mowed, and plowed with hardly ever a hitch. None of our neighbors want to borrow it for their jobs ("Too much work just to drive the beast!" they say), but to us the muscle is just part of operating the tractor -- been driving it since our early teens.

My wife won't get on the 3000 and when my daughters get a couple more years on them I doubt they'll be able to handle it. The real kicker is that the 3000 is too small to pull our Woods 208 and the used David Brown we bought 8 years ago is plum worn out.

So we decided it is time to turn the 3000 and the 1212 into a downpayment on something new. Decided on the M5700 (4WD and FEL). Waiting on delivery. Excited. But spent this weekend cleaning up, topping off, and saying goodbye to the old gentlemen. Sorry to see them go, especially the 3000.

Anyway, don't know what it'll be like if I don't have to eat my Wheaties before starting up the tractor. I've never handled a front end loader before, but we have a list of chores just waiting for it. I'll write back after I get some hours on the M5700 and report on how it goes.

Meanwhile, if anyone has any tips or advice I'm all ears.

Thanks again.

John

 

[Thomas]

John,
After 32 years I can understand how much the tractor a part of your life.

Just think back of all the good times,and know what lays ahead.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Bird]

John, just read the manual and start out doing things a little slowly on the new tractor until you get the feel of it. Steering will seem so easy that it's easy to oversteer. I guess you tried one out before buying and it'll sure be a lot easier to do your work with that new tractor. Have fun.

Bird

 

[dullpain]

John - WELCOME - I owned BLUE for 15 years. Ford 1900. Just sold it and bought a M5700 with FEL (Kubota) Check out my posts and let's learn together!! I have a Whopping 10.2 hours on my machine. Still trying to get used to all the differences which are many. Spent most of today trimming fence row. Would load the trailer with brush and used the FEL to unload and push into the burn pile. REAL COOL - always had to unload by hand before. Big work and lots of time. Looking forward to talking to you and sharing experiences with the M5700. Love it so far.!!!!


Lem

 

[W5FL]

Congratulations John,

I am absolutely sure you will love the M5700. The only problem is that it solves so many problems that the tractors made in the last 30 years had, that you won't even know of all the things that Kubota has improved on all the other tractors. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

My tractor is a M6800, which is on almost the same wheelbase with slightly larger tires and the L2002 loader is also used on both. The tractor is absolutely first class. I have yet to find the first thing that I would want done differently than it is. The loader is also first class and very capable. If you had the rear tires filled, you will appreciate that with the loader and will still need a 1000# boxblade or other implement on for ballast to effectively use the loader. The 4WD will really be useful with the loader. 4WD also works extremely well when any ground engaging implements are used. The dash mounted shuttle lever is really nice and a big improvement on the 1999 models as is the all synchronized transmission. The range shifter is not synchronized, but I have only moved it once in the past six months, so really don't mind.

I believe you will find that everything in the 2000 year model M Series works exactly like you always wished things would work.

 

[Billc]

JYH, congrats on your 5700. What a change you are in for. Good to have another person with an M series...the numbers are growing.

I went from a Massey 135 to a 5400. The 5700 has a better gearing system. You will LOVE the 4wd. Makes a huge difference.

If I can help, just ask.

Also, what the other fellas have said is very important. Go slow at everything in the begining. It is a lot more tractor than you are use to. I got myself into trouble two or three times because I was going too fast at a chore.

I have 145 hours on mine with out a problem. Yours will be even better.

Bill Cook

 

[JYH]

Wow! What a tractor! The dealer delivered our M5700 on Saturday and took away the Ford and David Brown. We lined them up for a family photo (attached).

This tractor is so easy to drive that my mother felt comfortable handling it. Thanks for the tips and encouragement!

John

 

[Harv]

John -

Now that's a family photo! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I'm still in awe of the larger L's -- the M's simply blow me away. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Happy tractorin'

 

[MarkV]

John,

Looks to me like x-mas came early to your house. If not you have a great x-mas card photo./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[roysallis]

How did you manage to part with the David Brown? You do not see many of them around anymore. At least not in Alabama. I saw one a couple of weeks ago in Cades Cove (Smoky Moutain National Park in Tennesee).